BNP Paribas Geneva employees minibus converted to run on natural gas

Geneva employees of BNP Paribas are now running on green energy. Since last January, the eight-seat shuttle which permanently circulates between the various buildings of the bank has been fuelled by natural gas. While BNP Paribas was already using a natural gas-powered vehicle to distribute the post and an electric bike for its courier, the bank has now crossed a further threshold for environmental-friendliness in Switzerland. “This is the first minibus of this type in Switzerland powered by natural gas,” says a delighted Igor Joly, Chief Administration Officer. The advantages of this fuel are numerous, beginning with a significant reduction in pollution. It also allows CO₂ emissions to be reduced by an average of 39% in comparison with a petrol-driven vehicle of equal performance and releases almost no harmful substances into the atmosphere. Another advantage: lower fuel costs. This shuttle was certified by SIG, one of whose primary directives is improving the quality of life by promoting the principles of sustainable development. In this spirit, the certification of the BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA shuttle illustrates SIG’s desire to develop natural gas fuel in Geneva in order to encourage the development of clean vehicles and thereby contribute to the reduction of CO₂ in the canton. The acquisition of this ecological shuttle demonstrates BNP Paribas’ commitment to sustainable development through its social and environmental responsibility (SER) policy.  In 2011, the bank played a pioneering role by installing solar panels on the roof its Geneva headquarters. A further example: In Switzerland, BNP Paribas uses only FSC-certified paper and intends to reduce its overall consumption by 20 to 25% over the next three years. “We think that as an economic actor the group has a role to play in social and environmental policy,” explains Joly. “Furthermore, our commitment in this sector is a great advantage in attracting new employees, since the current generation is rightfully increasingly concerned with these aspects.”